“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
Walking through the valley.
Familiar words to Christians and non-Christians. Words we often hear at a funeral. Henceforth, we associate these words with death and trials. But don’t we walk through the valley every day? Therefore, shouldn’t we be comforted by these words on a daily basis?
The literal thought is walking through a dark valley. Sounds like every man’s journey since the Fall. Because of their disobedience, God banned Adam and Eve from the Garden. To prevent any attempt of return, God placed a barrier in the form of cherubim and a flaming sword. With the Garden of Eden at their backs, our spiritual parents began their walk in the valley of darkness. Walking with God in the Garden one day, driven out of the Garden by God the next. Conversing with God one day, curses the next. A heavy price to pay for wanting to be like God. Such is the cost of the pride of man.
The shadow of death.
Since sin has entered into the world, the world has been characterized by darkness and death. The tempter, Satan, is now referred to as the god of this world, and he wants us to live in fear. Such is the shadow cast by sin. We never know what awaits us in the shadows. We never know what dangers are lurking in the darkness. The fear of the unknown is a constant companion in the darkness. But we have a greater companion.
You are with me.
Adam and Eve could not re-enter the Garden, so God joins us in the valley. In the darkness, the Light of the world is our ever present help. We take comfort in His rod and staff. Jesus is not only our companion, He is our protector. There is nothing hiding in the shadows that He can’t protect us from. We will fear no evil because of the Cross. No shepherd ever wielded a more potent rod.
Even though.
The walk in the valley is inevitable. Such is the consequence of being a descendant of Adam and Eve. Walking alone is optional. Jesus only accompanies His own. He is only a Shepherd to His Sheep. He doesn’t want you to walk through the valley of darkness alone fearing evil. He laid down His life so you won’t have to. A heavy price to pay for becoming a man. Such is the cost of the humility of God.
Via Dolorosa. The way of grief. The valley of darkness Jesus walked carrying the cross. The Via Dolorosa begins near the Lions Gate and ends at Golgotha. Others have walked the way of grief, only Jesus did it for others. Betrayed. Abandoned. Jesus walked the valley alone with sin’s shadow pressing down on Him in the form of a cross. Not His cross, but ours. The Shepherd walked the way to make a way. He walked the valley to lay down His life for us. He walked the way of grief alone, so we wouldn’t have to walk through the valley alone. Jesus is more than qualified to guide us through the valley. He has not only “blazed” the trail through the valley of darkness, He has also passed through the heavens. For others that walked the way of grief, the journey ended at Golgotha, but not for Jesus. If His walk ended at the cross, we would have no comfort in the valley. Instead, our confidence is at the right hand of the Father.
“Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” – Hebrews 4:14
Jesus escorts us through the valley because He wants us to arrive home safely. Some day, the darkness of the valley will give way to the light of Heaven. Instead of a barrier of cherubim and a flaming sword, we will be welcomed by the angels and open arms. As you walk through the valley, don’t fear the shadows, enjoy the light. Some day you will be overwhelmed by its brightness. Jesus is walking by your side in the valley of darkness so you can stand before the face of God in Heaven. Jesus walked the way of grief, so we can live in perfect Joy.
“No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face..” – Revelation 22:3-4a
Heaven has a way of keeping the valley in perspective.
I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me. Always. A Truth we can take comfort in every step of every day.